Tangents and Vectors

An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Why Work?

(Proverbs 23:4 KJV) Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

This verse is in the middle of a passage looking at different sides of the lure of being “rich” (wealth NASB) (6238). Often the verses of Proverbs stand alone. At times several will follow a theme. This is a theme time.

At first it might seem that this verse is saying, “Don’t work hard.” Keep in mind the principle of interpretation that demands taking all scripture into consideration. Just in Proverbs we are told to work hard, to not be sluggards. In other words, don’t be lazy. We are made “weary” (NASB) (3021) by a lack of balance more than by a excess of hard work. When we work hard, we sleep well and feel good about life. When we obsess with one thing we sleep fitfully and are always tired.

The issue here is the focus of our work. Why do we work? Why do we work hard? In addition to the obvious of supporting ourselves and our families we have the words of Paul:

EPH 4:28 Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have {something} to share with him who has need. (NASB)

I have listened to people trained in business. I have watched how stores are run. One observation I have had is that the businesses that focus on just making a profit do well in the short term but fail over time. Profit is necessary but it is the target of serving the customers that is the key to success. The person who wears himself out just get rich wears himself out. The person who is concerned with serving finishes the race.

So? Do good work and do it with the right attitude. Develop a servant attitude at home, work and even at play. Again, this is all through the Bible. It needs to be all through our lives.

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Bible Text

I prefer the NASB for my study but I will be using the KJV as the text I post. I do this because I do not understand the copyright restrictions. If I ever get a better grasp of the law I may change the text I list. We may be under grace rather than law, but others are not so free. My comments will try to make it clear what the differences are.

Greek and Hebrew

In the comments there will be reference to words and the original languages. Number in parenthesis, (1235), refer to the number from Strong's Numbering system.

An Invitation

The theme of this blog is devotional, worshipful, Biblical. I have a lot of ideas that won't fit in that frame so I have started another blog. It is called Medley of Worship.

You are invited to visit me there. It includes Bible and theology but also politics, education and anything else that comes to my mind.

About Me

I have been a serious follower of Jesus Christ since my senior year in high school. I am a Vietnam Veteran who came home more patriotic than I left. I am a graduate of Nazarene Theological Seminary and an ordained elder although I an not currently serving in a pastoral position. I have what I consider an orthodox faith set in the context of Wesley and Arminius. I share this so you will know where I am coming from as I look at the word.